Androids Dark Sky weather app now belongs to Apple

Apple made a discrete purchase on Tuesday [31 March] that could fundamentally change the way most Android users view weather updates.

Apple has acquired Dark Sky, an Android weather application renowned for its radar maps and accuracy of its hyperlocal, by-the-minute weather predictions for an undisclosed amount according to a statement on the Dark Sky website.

As you might expect, this is good news for Apple users as they’ll soon be able to download the application. The same can’t be said for devoted Dark Sky android users though, as both the Android and Wear OS versions of the applications will be shut down on 1 July 2020. Those that are still subscribed to the Dark Sky service by the time it is removed from the app store will receive a refund, but will also be forced to get their weather updates elsewhere.

According to a blog post by the Dark Sky team, “Our goal has always been to provide the world with the best weather information possible, to help as many people as we can stay dry and safe, and to do so in a way that respects your privacy,

“There is no better place to accomplish these goals than at Apple. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to reach far more people, with far more impact, than we ever could alone.”

As to why exactly Apple has purchased Dark Sky remains to be seen. Some industry insiders believe Apple could use their newly acquired application as a replacement for its current default weather app, which many have criticized for being lack-lustre and poorly designed.